Album Notes

Album review from Grayowl Point:

http://glasspaperweight.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/review-these-are-all-my-friends-bri-anne-swan/

I always get really, really excited when I’m able to review the first album of an independent artist, and such is the case for this roots/folk singer from Toronto.

These are all my Friends… is a ten track album which is characterized by the strong vocals and lyrics of Swan. The album shows that there is more to a love song than just “I love you” or “Take me back”.

“Lucidity,” the album’s opening track is a great example. Some people who listen to this may have to consult a dictionary to better understand what the song is talking about. Lucidity means a sort of clarity, something that is completely understandable. It makes sense, especially when she sings “He made me take my mask off” and ends with “Then I stood up to thank you for helping me see.”

The album is generally comprised of many melodic, slower songs, but she still keeps things fresh with a few faster songs such as “Vast Misconceptions” and “Stars are Falling (& I’m Hungry)”. Not to say that her slower songs are bad- “Dear Sir” is a song which spans about six and a half minutes, a sort of “open letter” to a lover who didn’t behave like he should have.

Interestingly, one of the songs on the album is a traditional French song, “En Haut ces Montagnes” and Swan sings it perfectly, without any sort of hesitation over the French words. It is a great thing to see Francophones singing in English (such as Winter Gloves do) and it is equally pleasing to see an Anglophone singing occassionally in French.

Though the love song is getting old and there are only so many songs that can be written, Swan’s intelligent lyrics and poetic devices make the record an enjoyable listen to say the least. Swan has a great amount of potential, and makes me wonder what she will do in the future.

Top Tracks: “Vast Misconceptions”, “Stars are Falling (& I’m Hungry)”, “Lucidity”


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